PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government plans to plant more than 75000 olive plants in the merged districts of the province.
Chief Secretary of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Shahab Ali Shah, chaired a meeting to discuss the Agriculture Department’s roadmap interventions. Attended by the Secretary and relevant officials, the meeting reviewed the progress of various initiatives aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity and development in the province.
The meeting evaluated tasks that are on track as well as those that need attention, with instructions issued to ensure timely completion of targets within the established timelines. Key interventions discussed included converting wild olive trees into oil-bearing European varieties. Efforts are underway to target 150,000 olive trees in the Merged Districts, involving the grafting of 75,000 wild olive plants by September and a total of 150,000 by October. Additionally, another 150,000 wild olive trees will be grafted in other districts.
The Chief Secretary emphasised the importance of obtaining certification for olive exports and directed that necessary steps be taken. The functionalization and improvement of Farm Services Centres were also highlighted, focusing on creating one-window operations for farmer convenience, establishing functional management committees, and operationalising available machinery.
Furthermore, ICT-based pest surveillance for real-time monitoring and timely crop protection is slated for implementation before June 30, 2026.
Other initiatives include the reclamation of 5,000 acres of cultivable wasteland and GIS mapping of major crops such as wheat, maize, rice, sugarcane, and fruits. Plans are also in place to establish 500 protected agricultural structures for high-value vegetables and promote vertical vegetable farming on 600 kanals to ensure high income and quality production in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
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Additionally, there are plans to transform 300 acres of wasteland into productive farmland through the development of 47 model micro-watersheds in 23 districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The Chief Secretary directed Agriculture officials to collaborate with the Planning and Development Department to streamline and expedite departmental projects and roadmap interventions, underscoring the government’s commitment to advancing agricultural development and enhancing farmer welfare in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
